Ever wondered what a mandrel is and why is it so important in the world of jewelry? Keep reading to find out why!
If you are someone who has just entered the jewelry world or the jewelry making industry, you must find yourself thinking and looking up every single tool and thing that is used to make jewelry! The thing is, there are a countless number of things and pieces of equipment that go into making any piece of jewelry; however, one of the most important and an essential tool is known as a mandrel, itis primarily used to make rings and since rings are probably one of the most important jewelry pieces, it is important to educate yourself about this tool and what it does!
Worry not, we have got you with all the mandrel information that you need! We will walk you through the types, how it is used, why is it used, and educate you on many more things about the tool! We intend on making you a mandrel expert by the time you are done reading this article!
Now, it is no surprise that jewelry making is a step by step process and it requires attention to detail, having an eye for anything creative, being innovative, and most importantly creating what you love! The tools come in when you are happy with your design, know what metals and gemstones you want and are ready to jump into the jewelry production process.
What is a Mandrel?
A mandrel is also known as a triblet is a long, thin tool that is used in the process of making jewelry, specifically rings. It has an end that is tapered which makes it perfect for use on a range of metals. It is important to note that the tool comes on its own when shaping or resizing rings. So, if you are a jewelry designer or a manufacturer who is looking to sell rings or provide a service of resizing or reshaping rings, a triblet is the tool you would want.
What is it used for?
In simple terms, the tool or a ring mandrel is used to reshape and resize rings. The tool usually comes with all the different sizes marked on it so that you know what size you want. It is a long, thin, tube-like structure that is made entirely of steel. So, if you need to know a customer’s ring size, a triblet is the perfect tool and it comes in handy a lot in the jewelry manufacturing business. Not to mention, it makes the job a lot easier!
- Making rings: When someone wants a customized ring, or you come up with a new design for a ring, a mandrel would come in handy as rings require shaping.
- Measuring size: As mentioned earlier, the tool comes with markings on it so as to measure different ring sizes. It makes the job a lot easier and much more efficient.
- Resizing: If a ring is on the small size scale, a mandrel can be used to stretch it out and make the size bigger.
How to use it?
When you are making a ring from scratch, you would require a triblet after the soldering, and the pickling process is done. Shape the ring around the tool and then start tapping it with a rawhide mallet. Once you start tapping it, make sure to take the ring off every couple of minutes to see if it is taking an even round shape.
Now, let’s talk about using the tool on an existing ring. If you have a ring that needs to be resized, that means stretched out, you have to fit it on the mandrel and take a rawhide mallet and start tapping the ring down till it reaches the desired size. Make sure that the ring is sized evenly by tapping down on all sides. To finish it off, take a Dremel tool with a polishing wheel attachment and rouge to make the ring shiny and look perfect. Make sure to cover any gemstones with your hand!
Types of Mandrel
The tool like any other tool comes in different types that have their own quality. No type can be considered the best but there is always one that is used most commonly.
- Steel Mandrel: This one is a classic and is most commonly used and trusted. If you are someone who is just starting out and just want to make simple yet elegant rings, this is perfect for you. This one comes with marking and is super easy to use.
- Design Mandrels: If you are someone who wants to explore their creative side and experiment with the shapes and sizes of their rings and make their jewelry funky, this is the one for you. They come in a range of designs and sizes that allow you to explore your creative side freely.
- Mini Round Forming Triblets: These are the ones for more intricate designs that require a lot of detailing and connectors. Make sure to get this one if your design lands on the more detailed side of the spectrum.
Rawhide Mallet
As mentioned above, you must see a rawhide mallet come up several times and if you don’t know what it is, we are here to tell you. The first thing you should note that a rawhide mallet is a must-have and this a tool that you must own.
A rawhide metal is important because it does not leave any marks on the metal. If you use a hammer to resize or shape your rings, it probably would ruin your mandrel and your ring. These mallets are designed specifically to make rings and that is why they should not be looked over if you are buying tools!
Now, of course, you don’t have to go through any of this hassle if you are in business with The Accessory Consultant. All you have to do is come up with a design and we would do the rest! Just sit back, relax, and let us do all the work!
